New Delhi: Obesity is one of the major health burdens the world is currently experiencing. The condition in India has spiked in recent years, with a rate of 1.2 per cent in 1990 to 9.8 per cent in 2022 for women and 0.5 per cent to 5.4 per cent in 2022 for men. With these numbers, India stands among the top three most obese countries where 70 per cent of the population is overweight, according to a study. Obesity is not just about weight gain but is also linked to the development of chronic diseases like cardiovascular problems. In recent research published in The Lancet Public Health, a significant link between a higher body mass index in early adulthood and an increased risk of heart disease has been found.
The study also focussed on a Chinese population that underscores the urgent need for weight management during early life to reduce cardiovascular health problems later in life.
Physical health of the participants surveyed
For the research, about 360,855 participants aged 30 to 79 from both the urban and rural regions of China were examined. These participants provided data from interviews, physical measurements and written consent. Along with this all the medical history of their heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes was excluded, as were those aged outside the 35–70 range or with missing BMI data from age 25.
Lifestyle factors like smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity and dietary habits were also noted for the analysis. According to the primary outcomes cardiovascular diseases, including heart problems, hemorrhagic stroke, and ischemic stroke were registered.
A strong link between higher BMI and heart diseases
The analysis found a strong link between higher BMI in early adulthood and increased cardiovascular disease risk. People with a BMI over 30 kg/m² during their early adulthood experienced a 58 per cent higher risk of heart problems as compared with the ones with lower BMIs. Particularly, early adult obesity was linked to a 39 per cent higher likelihood of developing cardiovascular diseases.
In recent research published in The Lancet Public Health, a significant link between a higher body mass index in early adulthood and an increased risk of heart disease has been found. People with a BMI over 30 kg/m² during their early adulthood experienced a 58 per cent higher risk of heart problems as compared with the ones with lower BMIs. Health Conditions Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
